Wilson told NBC 7 Schei moved out to San Diego to take computer engineering classes at ITT Technical Institute, seeking her associate’s degree.

She also moved in hopes of seeing more of her 10-year-old daughter, who lives with her father.

But Schei recently dropped out of school and was living in a sort of group home, according to Wilson.

"She was in a -- I wouldn't call it a half-way house -- but one of those homes that they have for... she was diagnosed with a disorder where she had assistance, where they gave her meds and assistance through the state," said Wilson.

But the mother said her daughter sounded fine during their last conversation, the day before Wilson’s return to the U.S.

"She said 'Mom, I just need a little bit of money, but I'm doing great. I'm skateboarding all the time, going to a skateboard park,’” Wilson said, “and she just was living life. She was enjoying herself.”

However, Wilson is now making some very different plans, organizing services for her daughter in California, Panama City Beach and Virginia Beach.

A local ceremony is set for Friday at 11 a.m. at Santee Lakes.

Wilson is currently staying in Virginia Beach with her sister and plans to receive Schei’s ashes there.

She’ll then travel to Panama City Beach “where Amber was truly at peace and enjoyed life, living with me and her brother, Christopher, before he went to the Navy,” Wilson said. There, they will spread her ashes.

But even when ceremonies in her honor have ended, the investigation into Schei’s death will continue.